Pilot controlled valve actuating mechanism



Oct. 12, 1965 J. RUDELICK 3,211,415

PILOT CONTROLLED VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM Original Filed Nov. 1, 1962 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 12, 1965 J. RUDELICK 3,211,415

PILOT CONTROLLED VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM Original Filed Nov. 1, 1962 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 12, 1965 J. RUDELICK 3,211,415

PILOT CONTROLLED VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM Original Filed Nov. 1, 1962 3Sheets-Sheet I5 United States Patent 3,211,415 PHLOT CONTROLLED VALVEACTUATING MECHANISM John Rutlelick, Milwaukee, Wis, assignor to BrunerCorporation, Milwaukee, Wis, a corporation of Wisconsin Orig nalapplication Nov. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 234,669.

Divided and this application Apr. 1, 1964, Ser. No.

(Ilaims. (Cl. 251-33) This invention is directed to subject matterdisclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 234,669, filedNovember 1, 1962, of which this application is a division.

Said copending application relates to a valve structure that is ideallysuited for the control of fluid flow in water treating and conditioningapparatus, and especially water softening systems. The valve structureembodies a pair of two position valve elements, and a pilot controlledhydraulic actuating device is provided for each valve element, to shiftit back and forth from one operating position to the other thereof. Awater softening system equipped with such a control valve, therefore,can be fully automatic in operation.

The present invention relates to the pilot controlled bydraulicactuating devices disclosed in my aforesaid co pending application, andwhich, though especially well suited for use with fluid flow controlvalves of any type having a valve element that must be moved from oneposition to another and then returned to its original position, isgenerally useful as an operator capable of imparting back and forthmotion to any member to be actuated.

One of the purposes of this invention is to provide a fluid pressureresponsive actuating device of the character described, which can bereadily incorporated in a fluid flow control valve mechanism andoperated by the pressure of the fluid in the valve mechanism.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide a fluid pressureresponsive actuating device of the character described which comprises apiston that is adapted to be drivingly connected to one end of a memberto be actuated, a cylinder in which the piston operates, and means todeliver to and control the supply of pressure fluid from a sourcethereof to the opposite ends of the cylinder.

More specifically, it is a purpose of this invention to provide anactuating device such as described above, wherein the piston hasopposite end surfaces of different areas and operates in a cylinderhaving large and small diameter ends, so that fluid at the same pressurein the opposite ends of the cylinder exerts force on the piston to moveit toward and hold it in a normal position adjacent to the smalldiameter end of the cylinder, and wherein the piston is moved toward thelarge diameter end of the cylinder in consequence of venting of thelatter.

In this connection, it is a further purpose of the invention to providea hydraulic actuator of the character described, wherein pressure fluidfrom a common source is fed into the large diameter end of the cylinderat a substantially lower rate than such fluid is supplied to the smallerdiameter end of the cylinder, and wherein a normally closed pilot valvegoverns venting of the large diameter end of the cylinder, so that thepiston is hydraulically driven in one direction when the pilot valve isin its cylinder venting position, and is hydraulically driven in theopposite direction when the pilot valve is reclosed.

Still another purpose of this invention resides in the provision of ahydraulic actuator of the character described, wherein the smalldiameter end of the cylinder is at all times communicated with a sourceof fluid under pressure, and the large diameter end of the cylinderreceives pressure fluid from the small diameter end of the cylinderthrough a restricted passage in the piston opening to the opposite axialends thereof.

3 ,2 l 1,4 l5 Patented Oct. 12, 1 965 With the above and other objectsin view which will appear as the description proceeds, this inventionresides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of partssubstantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined bythe appended claims, it being understood that such changes in theprecise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as comewithin the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one complete example of thephysical embodiment of the invention constructed according to the bestmode so far devised for the practical application of the principlesthereof, and in which:

'FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a Water softener valve equipped withautomatic valve shifting means of this invention;

:FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view taken through FIG- URE 1 along theline 22, and illustrating the manner in which the control valve may bemounted on the top of a softener tank;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the plane of the line3-3 in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the control valve, takenon the plane of the line 44 in FIG- URE 2, and showing the two valvemembers of the mechanism in a regenerating position.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, whereinlike reference characters have been applied to like parts throughout theviews, the numeral 5 generally designates a control valve embodying thehydraulic actuating means 6 of this invention. FIGURE 2 illustrates howthe control valve 5 may be mounted on the top of a water softening tank7 if desired, to control the normal service flow of water downwardlythrough the bed of ion exchange material (not shown) in the tank and toalso effect regeneration of the exchange material. During regeneration,the valve mechanism functions to educt brine from a brine tank formingpart of the water softening system, and to direct such brine downwardlythrough the softener tank. Backwashing of the bed of ion exchangematerial in the softener tank may follow brining as the second step of aregenerating cycle, although it will be appreciated that the valvemechanism can effect backwashing prior to brining, if desired. Freshhard water may be caused to flow through the water softener tank fromthe top thereof, as the final step of a regenerating cycle.

The control valve 5 will be only briefly described herein since itsconstruction is fully set forth in my aforesaid copending application,Serial No. 234,669. It comprises a body casting 9 of box-likeconstruction and substantially squat or shallow, and it can be mountedon the top of a Water softener tank, as seen in FIGURE 2 by means of anadaptor generally designated 10 secured to its underside.

The valve body 9 is formed with a central chamber 11, more or lesscentered over the adaptor 10, and which opens upwardly to the top of thebody through a drain port 12 in which a drain line 13 may be connected.At opposite sides of the chamber 11, the body 9 is formed with a pair ofchambers 14 and 15 which open downwardly to the bottom of the bodythrough main or tank ports 16 and 17, respectively. The port 16 may bereferred to as a top tank port since it is adapted to be connected tothe upper interior portion of a water softener tank, while the port 17may be said to comprise a bottom tank port since it is adapted to beconnected with the lower interior portion of a water softener tank.

An elongated chamber 19 is formed on the rear of the valve body andextends transversely thereacross, behind the chambers 14 and 15. Thechambers 14 and 15 are communicated with the chamber 19 throughsubstantially large diameter ports 20 and 21, respectively, in theirrear walls.

The transverse chamber 19 has a partition member 22 therein whichdivides its interior into inlet and outlet compartments, namely anelongated inlet compartment 23 that extends along the rear wall of thechamber and opens to the right side of the body through an inlet port24, and an elongated outlet compartment 25 that extends along the frontwall of the chamber, in side-by-side rela tion to the inlet passage 23,and which opens to the left side of the body through a service port 26.The partition member 22, however, has an irregular shape such as todefine a short inlet branch 27 into which the port 20 opens.Consequently, that portion of the outlet compartment 25 which is nearestthe inlet port 24 is located more or less centrally between the inletcompartment 23 and its branch 27, and rearwardly of the chamber 14.Similarly, that portion of the inlet compartment 23 which is nearest theservice port 26 is rearwardly of the chamber 15, and separated from therear wall of the latter by a portion of the outlet compartment 25.

The port 24, of course, provides for connection of the control valvewith a hard water supply line 28, while the service port 26 provides fordelivery of treated or softened water to a service line 29 connectedwith the port 26.

The partition member 22 not only divides the interior of the chamber 19into what might be termed overlapping transversely extending inlet andoutlet compartments, but it also serves to normally preventcommunication between the inlet port 24 and the service port 26. Attimes when the control valve is effecting regeneration of a watersoftener, however, provision is made to bypass fresh raw water to theservice port, and for this purpose the partition member 22 is providedwith a first bypass port or passage 30 therein coaxial with the port 20,to communicate the inlet branch 27 with the outlet compartment 25 at alocation behind the chamber 14, and a second bypass port 31 coaxial withthe port 21 to communicate the inlet compartment 23 with the outletcompartment 25 at a location behind the chamber 15. Communicationbetween the inlet port 24 and the service port 26 through the bypassports 30 and 31 is normally blocked by the valve mechanism within thebody.

The valve mechanism comprises a pair of nearly identical valve units 33and 34 respectively associated with the main ports 16 and 17. Each valveunit comprises an elongated stem 35, and the stems are slidably guidedin transverse bearing walls 36 in the body for endwise fore and aftmovement with their axes parallel and lying in a common horizontalplane. The stem of the valve unit 33 extends rearwardly from its bearinginto the chamber 14 and coaxially through the port 20 into the bypassport 30. Similarly, the stem of the valve unit 34 extends rearwardlyfrom its bearing into the chamber 15 and coaxially through the port 21into the bypass port 31.

One of the functions of the valve unit 33 is to control communicationbetween its main port 16 and the inlet port 24 through the internal port20. Similarly, one of the functions of the valve unit 34 is to controlcommunication between its main port 17 and the service port 26 throughthe internal port 21.

For this purpose, each of the valve stems has a resilient valve disc 37coaxially secured thereto and movable back and forth in its associatedchamber 16-17. The internal ports 20 and 21 open into their respectivechambers 16 and 17 through annular forwardly facing valve seats 38 and39, respectively, which seats may be engaged by the discs 37 to closethe internal ports and define the rearward limits of motion of the valveunits.

Each of the valve stems extends forwardly from the valve disc thereon,coaxially through a pair of tandem arranged annular inserts 40 and 41,which are axially slidably received in the hollow interior of the valvebody 4 for removal through tubular forward extensions 42 on the body.

The bores of the rear inserts 40 cooperate with the stems 35 of thevalve units to define annular waste or drain passages 44 thatcommunicate with the valve chambers 14 and 15, and which may be closedto block their communication with the main ports 16 and 17 by the valvediscs 37 in the forward limits of motion of the valve units. For thispurpose, the rear of the inserts project into the chambers 14 and 15 andare formed to provide annular rearwardly facing seats 45 and 46respectively coaxial with and opposing the seats 38 and 39, and whichdefine the forward limit of travel of the valve units when engaged bythe valve discs 37 thereon.

For convenience, the annular seats 45 and 46 may be referred to as drainports.

The annular drain passage 44 through the rear insert for valve unit 34communicates more or less directly with the exhaust chamber 11 throughradial apertures in the side wall of the insert that open to a lateralbranch 47 of the exhaust chamber.

The adjacent portions of the inserts abut one another within a chamber48 in the valve body, extending transversely across the front portionthereof, and the drain passages 44 of the valve units communicate withthe chamber 48 through notches 49 in the rear ends of the forwardinserts 41.

The main port 16 for valve unit 33 can be communicated with the drain orexhaust passage 11, through the front chamber 48, and the forward endportion of the drain passage 44 of valve unit 34, depending upon theposition of the latter. A second valve element 50 mounted on andsurrounding the stem of valve unit 34 is so located thereon as to enterand close the front end of its annular drain passage 44 whenever thevalve unit is moved to its rearward limit of travel, seen in FIGURE 4 soas to then prevent communication between the port 16 and the drainchamber 11, but without interfering with the flow of fluid from thevalve chamber 15 to the drain or exhaust chamber.

At their rear ends, the stem 35 of the valve units have enlargementsthat carry O-ring valve elements 52 to respectively engage in the bypassports 30 and 31 and close the same in the normal forward positions ofthe valve units.

When either of the valve units is moved to its rear position forregenerating purposes, the valve elements 52 are moved rearwardlythrough the bypass ports 30 and 31 to open the same.

The forward annular inserts 41 have forwardly projecting cylindricalskirts 54 thereon that fit in the tubular for- Ward extensions 42 on thebody. These skirts project from the transverse bearing walls 36 on theinserts, and are formed integrally therewith, and they extend a distancebeyond the front ends of the tubular extensions 42. A pair of O-rings55, encircling each of the skirts 54 engages the inner surface of thesurrounding tubular extension 42 to provide a leakproof sealtherebetween.

Cup-like closure members or caps 56 are secured to the front of thevalve body, over each tubular extension 42 thereof, to close off theopen forward ends of the tubular extensions, and to hold the frontinserts 41 against forward displacement. These caps are preferablyformed of a transparent plastic material, and they have large diameterrim portions 57 which encircle the forward end portions of the skirts 54on the forward inserts and abut the front ends of the tubular extension42 on the body. In addition, each of the caps has a smaller diametercylindrical body portion 58 ahead of its rim portion, which extendsforwardly to the end wall 59 of the closure. A plurality of screws 60passing through suitable apertures in ears 61 on the rim portions of thecaps and threading into mating ears on the front ends of the extensions42 detachably secure the caps in place on the front of the body.

Forward displacement of the front inserts 41 relative to the valve bodyis precluded by means of shoulders 62 which are formed on the caps 56 atthe junctions of their large diameter rim portions with their smallerdiameter body portions. These shoulders face rearwardly and arecontiguous to the forward extremities of the skirts 54. The caps 56cooperate with the forwardly extending skirts 54 on the front inserts 41to define cylinders, each having a small diameter forward end 63 openingto a larger diameter rear end 64. The small diameter ends of thecylinders are defined by the bodies 58 of the caps, while the largerdiameter rear ends of the cylinders are defined by the cylindricalskirts 54 on the front inserts. An annular piston 65 is slidable foreand aft in each of these cylinders and the pistons are coaxiallythreaded onto the forward extremities of the stems 35 of the valve unitsas at 66. Each piston, of course, has a small diameter front portion 67to fit the small diameter forward end of its cylinder, and a largerdiameter rear portion 68 which slidably fits the larger diameter end ofits cylinder.

Resiliently flexible front and rear annular seals 69 and 70 encirclingthe small and large diameter ends of the pistons, respectively, engagethe cylinder walls to provide sliding seals that prevent flow of fluidaround the exteriors of the pistons.

The cylinders and the pistons therein comprise the main components ofthe hydraulic actuators 6 of this invention, by which the valve unitscan be driven either forwardly or rearwardly to each of their operatingpositions to thus effect control of the flow of fluid through thevarious passages and ports inside the valve body.

When liquid at source water pressure is present in the large diameterends of the cylinders, forces are exerted upon the large diameter endsof the pistons such as to move the same forwardly and thus actuate thevalve units to their forward or service positions at which their valvediscs 37 engage and close the rearwardly facing drain ports 45 and 46and to also effect closure of the bypass ports 30 and 31. The valveunits are normally held in these service positions by the action uponthe pistons of source water under pressure in the large diameter ends ofthe cylinders.

If the spaces inside the larger diameter ends of the cylinders arevented, and liquid at source water pressure is present in the smalldiameter ends of the cylinders, forces are exerted upon the smalldiameter ends of the pistons to propel the same rearwardly and thusactuate the valve units to their rear limits of motion defined by theengagement of their valve discs 37 with the forwardly facing valve seats38 and 39.

In order to provide for back and forth actuation of the pistons in theirrespective cylinders and consequent shifting of the valve units betweentheir service and regenerating positions described, provision is madefor introducing fluid under pressure into both ends of the cylinders andfor exhausting fluid from the large diameter ends of the cylinders.While this may be accomplished by means externally of the valve body.this invention features duct means that are built into the valve body tonot only enable source water from the inlet 24 to be supplied to thesmall diameter ends of the cylinders, but to also enable the largediameter ends of the cylinders to be vented to the exhaust chamber 11.

Source water under pressure is fed into the small diameter forward endsof both cylinders by means of axial passages 72 extending entirelythrough the valve stems 35 of the two-valve units and axially throughthe bores of the annular pistons 65 on their forward ends. Hence, whenthe valve units are in their service positions corresponding to theposition of valve unit 33 in FIGURE 4, water under pressure may flowforwardly through the axial passage 72 in the valve unit 33 and the boreof the piston 65 thereon to the small diameter end 63 of the cylinderfor "alve unit 33. When both valve units are in their forward or servicepositions, source water flows directly into the rear of the axialpassage in valve unit 34 from the inlet chamber 23. Fluid under pressurefor the cylinder of valve unit 33, however, is derived from the tankport 17 of valve unit 34 and outlet chamber 25, it being understood thatport 21 is open in the service position of valve unit 34. It will beappreciated, of course, that the cylinder for valve unit 33 could justas well be supplied with fluid from the inlet branch passage 27 througha radial hole (not shown) in the stem of the valve unit, located justforwardly of its bypass valve element 52.

Pressure fluid is preferably introduced into the large diameter end 64of each cylinder from the small diameter end 63 thereof through passages73 in the pistons, extending fore and aft therethrough, and having theirforward ends substantially restricted as at 74. Consequently, the fluidin the large diameter ends 64 of the cylinders exerts a greater forceupon the pistons than does fluid in the small diameter ends 63 of thecylinders, with the result that both pistons are held in their forwardor service positions until such time as the larger diameter ends 64 ofthe cylinders are vented and fluid therein is allowed to escape to thedrain chamber 11.

When that occurs, the valve units are propelled rearwardly out of theirnormal positions by the forces which fluid under pressure in the smalldiameter ends 63 of the cylinders exert upon the pistons. According tothis invention, the venting of the large diameter rear end of eachcylinder is controlled by a pilot valve 75. Preferably, though notnecessarily, these pilot valves are electromagnetically governeddiaphragm type valve mechanisms of a known type. The pilot valves 75 aremounted upon the top of the valve body at opposite sides of the drainport 12, and nearly directly over their corresponding valve chambers14-15. As seen best in FIGURE 2, each of the pilot valve units 75comprises a housing the bottom portion of which provides an invertedcup-like diaphragm chamber 76. The open end of the diaphragm chamber hasan outwardly directed flange that is engaged over the peripheral portionof a flexible diaphragm 77 to hold the same centered over concentricinner and outer chambers 78 and 79, respectively, both of which openupwardly toward the under side of the diaphragm. A clamping ring 80secured to the body by screws 81 (see FIGURE 1) overlies the flange onthe diaphragm chamber to hold same in place on the valve body.

The chambers 78 and 79 are separated by an upstanding tubular neck 82 onthe valve body, the upper extremity V of which defines an annular valveseat 83. The lower end portion of the inner chamber 78 opens to thetransversely extending branch 84 of a cylinder exhaust passage in thevalve body, and which branch communicates at its inner end with thedrain or exhaust port 12. The outer chamber 79 communicates with theforwardly extending branch 85 of the exhaust passage for the adjacentcylinder.

The forward ends of the exhaust passage branches 85 communicate with theinteriors of the large diameter ends of the cylinders throughsubstantially radially extending openings 86 in their side wall definingskirts 54. While the actual arrangement of vent passage branches 84 and85 and the annular chambers 78 and 79 is shown in FIG- URES 2 and 3,attention is directed to FIGURE 4 where these passages, the diaphragms77, and the chambers 78 and 79 associated therewith are showndiagrammatically 1n a simplified form so that their functions andoperation can be more easily understood.

Thus, as diagrammatically illustrated in FIGURE 4, each of thediaphragms 77 has a small diameter central hole 87 therethrough thatregisters with the chamber 78 beneath it, and a plurality of evensmaller diameter vents 88 that register with the outer annular chamber79 and similarly communicate with the space inside the diaphragmhousing.

As will be apparent to those familiar with the construction of theelectromagnetic valve units 75, the diaphragm chamber of each is closedat its bottom by the diaphragm 77, and has a smaller diameter tubularportion 89, extending upwardly therefrom and closed at its top. Anelectromagnetically responsive plunger 99 slides up and down in thetubular top portion 89 of the diaphragm chamber and is normally biaseddownwardly by a light spring, to yieldingly hold a pointed lowerextremity 91 on the plunger in the central aperture 87 in the diaphragmto close said aperture. This also causes a downward bias to be exertedon the diaphragm sufficient to hold its underside engaged with theannular seat 83 surrounding the central chamber 78, to blockcommunication between the latter and the annular chamber 79.

This is the normal condition of each valve unit 75, at which the ventpassage for its cylinder is closed and fluid under pressure is trappedin the large diameter end of its cylinder, causing the piston therein tobe held in its forward position, closest to the small diameter end ofthe cylinder.

Upon energization of the coil 92 surrounding the upper tubular portion89 of each of theelectromagnetic units 75, the plunger 90 thereof isattracted upwardly to uncover the central aperture 87 in the diaphragmand allow fluid under pressure in the diaphragm chamber to exhausttherefrom at a rate faster than it can flow into the chamber through thesmall apertures 88. As a result, the pressure of fluid in the largediameter end of the cylinder and its vent passage 85 moves the diaphragm77 upwardly off of its seat 83 to communicate the vent pasage 85 withthe drain port 12.

Normally, when the diaphragm is engaged with the seat 83, fluid underpressure in the annular chamber 79 surrounding the seat 83 can flowupwardly into the diaphragm chamber through the small diameter ports 88therein to maintain a pressure upon the top of the dia phragm that aidsthe plunger 90 in holding the diaphragm on its seat.

As shown in FIGURE 4, the diaphragm 77 for valve unit 34 has been liftedupwardly off of its seat 83 to vent the large diameter end of itsassociated cylinder. When this occurs, the pressure in the largediameter end of its cylinder is suddenly reduced to a value below thatwhich will obtain in the small diameter end of its cylinder, due to therestriction 74 in the piston passage 73, and suflicient force is thusexerted upon the small diameter end of the piston to propel the samerearwardly and thereby cause actuation of the valve element 33 to itsrear limit of motion.

The valve unit 33 will remain in this regenerating position until thecoil 92 of its associated pilot valve 75 is deenergized to allowreclosure of said pilot valve. When the diaphragm 77 resumes its closedposition engaging its associated seat 83, it closes the vent passage forthe large diameter rear end of the cylinder for valve unit 33 and causesfluid pressure to build up therein so as to actuate its piston forwardlyand carry valve unit 33 to its normal position.

It will be understood, of course, that the coils 92 of theelectromagnetic pilot valves 75 can be energized or deenergized toeffect actuation of the valve units 32 and 33 in any desired sequence,under the control of a calendar clock of a known type (not shown) butwhich may be set to periodically effect a regenerating cycle that maycomprise the successive steps of brining, backwashing and flushing,followed by return of the two-valve units to their normal servicepositions.

One of the features of the hydraulic actuators described is that thetransparent cup-like caps which define the small diameter ends of thecylinders in which the pistons operate, enable visual inspection anddetermination of the positions of the pistons. Hence, any malfunctioningof the actuators can be detected at a glance. When the actuators areused on the control valve of an automatically governed water softeningsystem which requires energization and deenergization of the coils ofthe electromagnetic pilot valves 75 in a predetermined sequence, thepositions of the pistons as seen through the transparent caps can alsoindicate the different regenerating steps of a regenerating cycle aswell as the normal or service condition of the control valve mechanism.If it becomes apparent that the control valve mechanism ismalfunctioning, the conventional external bypass valving ordinarilyprovided in a water softening installation can then be closed off toenable removal of the cap or caps covering the front portions of thepistons which have not operated properly. Thereafter the entire valveunit, including the inserts through which the valve stem projects, canhe slid forwardly out of the valve body for service or replacement ifnecessary.

As stated previously, water or other fluid under pressure can beintroduced into the small and large diameter ends of the cylinders in avariety of ways. For example, an external fluid line could easily beconnected in a port in the end wall 59 of each of the transparent caps56 to supply fluid directly into the small ends of the cylinders. Inthat case, fluid could be supplied to the large end of each cylinderthrough the hollow interior of its piston and a radial hole in theadjacent hollow end portion of the stern of the valve unit or othermember to be actuated. It will be understood, of course, that thepassage 72 in the valve stem or other member to be actuated would notthen need to extend entirely through the stem, but would be in thenature of a well in the forward end portion thereof.

In any case, however, it is important that the passages through whichpressure fluid is supplied to the large diameter ends of the cylindershave restrictions 74 therein small enough to assure that fluid can beexhausted therefrom faster than pressure fluid can be supplied theretoat times when the pilot valves 75 are opened. This assures the necessarypressure differential to effect rearward travel of the pistons, towardthe large diameter ends of the cylinders, in response to the pressure offluid entering the small diameter ends of the cylinders.

The arrangement of passages 73 extending fore and aft through thepistons, as shown, with the restrictions 74 opening through the frontends of the pistons to the interiors of the detachable caps 56 isadvantageous since it facilitates cleaning of the restrictions in theevent they become clogged by particles of foreign matter or dirt in thewater or other fluid supplied under pressure to the cylinders. Inaddition, the arrangement shown readily enables a screen to be appliedover the front ends of the pistons and the restricted passages 74therein, with the screens detachably held in place by hollow screwsthreaded into the central apertures in the pistons.

From the foregoing description, together with the accompanying drawings,it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that thisinvention provides an exceptionally simple but eflicient pressureresponsive actuator capable of imparting back and forth motion to anymember to be actuated, while being ideally suited for use withdistributing valves such as are used to control fluid flow in watersoftener apparatus and the like.

What is claimed as my invention is:

1. In a fluid flow control valve:

(A) a body having passage means connectable with a source of fluid underpressure, and having control passages that are communicable with saidpassage means;

(B) a valve member having an elongated stem slidable endwise back andforth in the body from one operating position to another to control thetransfer of fluid between said passage means and the control passages,one end of said stem extending into said passage means;

(C) means in the body defining a cylinder having small and largediameter ends;

(D) a piston operatively coaxially connected with the other end of thevalve stem to actuate the same,

said piston being movable back and forth in the cylinder and having (1)small and large diameter ends slidably fitting said small and largediameter ends of the cylinder, respectively, and (2) a small diameterpassage extending therethrough to provide restricted communicationbetween the large and small diameter ends of the cylinder;

(E) means providing a cylinder supply passage extending entirely throughthe valve stem and the piston to connect the small diameter end of thecylinder with said passage means so that fluid under pressure may enterand fill the small diameter end of the cylinder, and also flow throughsaid small diameter passage in the piston into the large diameter end ofthe cylinder to fill the latter, whereby fluid under pressure acts uponthe large diameter end of the piston with greater force than on thesmall diameter end of the piston, to move the piston toward and hold itin a normal position closest to the small diameter end of the cylinder;

(F) means providing an exhaust passage connecting with the largediameter end of the cylinder and through which fluid therein may beexhausted to effect actuation of the piston toward the large diameterend of the cylinder in consequence of the force exerted on the piston byfluid under pressure in the small diameter end of the cylinder;

(G) and valve means to control the flow of fluid through said exhaustpassage.

2. In a fluid flow control valve:

(A) a body having passage means connectable with a source of fluid underpressure, and having control passages that are communicable with saidpassage means;

(B) means in the body remote from said passage means defining a cylinderhaving axially adjacent small and large diameter ends;

(C) a piston in said cylinder, having axially adjacent small and largediameter ends slidably fitting the corresponding ends of the cylinder,said piston having an axial hole therethrough;

(D) an elongated valve member slidable endwise in the body between firstand second operating positions to control transfer of fluid between saidpassage means and the control passages, one end portion of the valvemember projecting into said passage means, and the opposite end portionof the valve member projecting coaxially into the cylinder and beingoperatively connected to the piston therein;

(E) duct means communicating said passage means with the small and largediameter ends of the cylinder whereby fluid under pressure acting uponthe large diameter end of the piston with greater force than on itssmall diameter end holds the piston shifted toward the small diameterend of the cylinder and correspondingly holds the valve member in afirst operating position, said duct means including an elongated axialpassage in the valve member registering at one end with said axial holein the piston and having an inlet adjacent to the opposite end of thevalve member and communicating with said passage means so that all fluiddelivered to said ends of the cylinder must flow through said axialpassage in the valve member;

(F) means in the body providing an exhaust passage opening from thelarge diameter end of the cylinder and wholly independent of said ductmeans, thorugh which fluid in the large diameter end of the cylinder canbe exhausted at a rate at least as fast as fluid is delivered thereto bysaid duct means so as to effect actuation of the piston toward the largediameter end of the cylinder in consequence of the resulting drop inpressure in the large diameter end of the cylinder and the force exertedupon the piston by fluid under pressure in the small diameter end of thecylinder;

(G) and valve means to control the flow of fluid through said exhaustpassage.

3. In a fluid flow control valve:

(A) a body having fluid supply and control passages;

(B) an elongated valve member in the body having one end adjacent to thesupply passage and having valve means thereon intermediate its ends,said valve member being shiftable lengthwise betweezn first and secondpositions to control the transfer of fluid between said passages;

(C) cooperating wall means on the body and the valve member at theopposite end of the latter defining a first pressure chamber having amovable Wall of substantially large surface area fixed to the valvemember, which wall is movable to shift the valve member to said firstposition thereof in response to pressure of fluid in said chamber;

(D) cooperating wall means on the body and the valve member defining asecond pressure chamber axially adjacent to the first and having amovable wall of substantially small surface area fixed to said oppositeend of the valve member, which wall is movable to shift the valve memberto said second position thereof in response to pressure of fluid in saidsecond chamber at a value greater than obtains in said first chamber;

(B) an axial passage in the valve member through which all fluid flowsto said chambers, said axial passage opening directly into said secondchamber and having an inlet at the side of said valve means remote fromsaid chambers and communicating with the supply passage;

(F) means adjacent to said opposite end of the valve member providingrestricted communication between said axial passage and said firstpressure chamber;

(G) and a valve controlled exhaust passage in the body entirelyindependent of said axial passage and opening to said first chamberthrough an outer wall thereof for controlling the pressure of fluidtherein, said exhaust passage, when closed, maintaining fluid pressuresof equal values in said chambers to cause the valve element to be heldin said first position thereof by the force which pressure fluid exertson the movable wall of said first chamber, and said exhaust passage,when open, effecting decrease in the pressure of fluid in said firstchamber to a value below that obtaining in said second chamber tothereby cause the valve member to be shifted to said second positionthereof.

4. Means for imparting endwise fore and aft motion to a member to beactuated, comprising:

(A) means fixed on one end portion of said member defining a pistonhaving axially adjacent small and large diameter end portions;

(B) means defining a cylinder enclosing the piston, and from one end ofwhich said member projects, said cylinder having small and largediameter end and large diameter end portions of the piston;

(C) duct means for concurrently supplying fluid under pressure from acommon source thereof to said small and large diameter end portions ofthe cylinder to cause the piston to be held in a first position shiftedtoward the small diameter end of the cylinder due to the greater totalforce which fluid under pressure in the large diameter end of thecylinder exerts upon the piston, said duct means including a passage insaid member extending endwise therein and through which all fluid flowsto said small and large diameter end portions of the cylinder, saidpassage opening through the piston directly into the small diameter endportion of the cylinder and having an inlet at the opposite end portionof said member;

(D) and valve controlled exhaust passage means in the body, entirelyindependent of said duct means and through which fluid can be exhaustedfrom the large diameter end portion of the cylinder faster than it canbe supplied thereto from said duct means to cause the piston to be movedtoward the large diameter end portion of the cylinder to a secondposition due to the force which pressure fluid in the small diameter endportion of the cylinder continues to exert on the piston.

5. Means for imparting endwise motion to a member to be actuated,comprising:

(A) a body into which one end portion of said member projects, and fromwhich the member is supported for endwise motion;

(B) cooperating wall means on the body and said end portion of themember to be actuated defining a first pressure chamber having a movablewall of substantially large surface area fixed to said member, whichwall is movable in response to pressure of fluid in said chamber toshift said member in one direction;

(C) cooperating wall means on the body and said end portion of themember to be actuated defining a second pressure chamber axiallyadjacent to the first and having a movable wall of substantially smallsurface area fixed to said member, which wall is movable in response topressure of fluid in said second chamber at a value greater than obtainsin said first chamber to shift said member in the opposite direction;

(D) a supply passage in said member through which all pressure fluidflows to said chambers, said supply passage opening directly into saidsecond chamber and having an inlet remote from said chambers;

(E) duct means within the body and adjacent to said one end portion ofsaid member, providing restricted communication between said supplypassage and said first chamber;

(F) and a valve controlled exhaust passage entirely independent of saidsupply passage and said duct means, and opening to said first chamberthrough an outer wall thereof to provide for lowering the pressure offluid therein to a value below that obtaining in said second chamber.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,415,534 2/47Ries et al 137-559 2,615,466 10/52 Garde 25131 X 2,781,996 2/57Smallpeice 251-43 X 3,075,556 1/63 Hutter et a1 251-43 X M. CARY NELSON,Primary Examiner.

MARTIN P. SCHWADRON, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,211,415 October 12, 1965 John Rudelick It is hereby certified that errorappears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that thesaid Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 10, line 61, after "end" insert portions respectively slidablyreceiving said small Emai (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner ofPatents

1. IN A FLUID FLOW CONTROL VALVE: (A) A BODY HAVING PASSAGE MEANSCONNECTABLE WITH A SOURCE OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE, AND HAVING CONTROLPASSAGES THAT ARE COMMUNICABLE WITH SAID PASSAGE MEANS; (B) A VALVEMEMBER HAVING AN ELONGATED STEM SLIDABLE ENDWISE BACK AND FORTH IN THEBODY FROM ONE OPERATION POSITION TO ANOTHER TO CONTROL THE TRANSFER OFFLUID BETWEEN SAID PASSAGE MEANS AND THE CONTROL PASSAGES, ONE END OFSAID STEM EXTENDING INTO SAID PASSAGE MEANS; (C) MEANS IN THE BODYDEFINING A CYLINDER HAVING SMALL AND LARGE DIAMETER ENDS; (D) A PISTONOPERATIVELY COAXIALLY CONNECTED WITH THE OTHER END OF THE VALVE STEM TOACTUATE THE SAME, SAID PISTON BEING MOVABLE BACK AND FORTH IN THECYLINDER AND HAVING (1) SMALL AND LARGE DIAMETER ENDS SLIDABLY FITTINGSAID SMALL AND LARGE DIAMETER ENDS OF THE CYLINDER, RESPECTIVELY, AND(2) A SMALL DIAMETER PASSAGE EXTENDING THERETHROUGH TO PROVIDERESTRICTED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE LARGE AND SMALL DIAMETER ENDS OFTHE CYLINDER; (E) MEANS PROVIDING A CYLINDER SUPPLY PASSAGE EXTENDINGENTIRELY THROUGH THE VALVE STEM AND THE PISTON TO CONNECT THE SMALLDIAMETER END OF THE CYLINDER WITH SAID PASSAGE MEANS SO THAT FLUID UNDERPRESSURE MAY ENTER AND FILL THE SMALL DIAMETER END OF THE CYLINDER, ANDALSO FLOW THROUGH SAID SMALL DIAMETER PASSAGE IN THE PISTON INTO THELARGE DIAMETER END OF THE CYLINDER TO FILL THE LATTER, WHEREBY FLUIDUNDER PRESSURE ACTS UPON THE LARGE DIAMETER END OF THE PISTON WITH GREATFORCE THAN ON THE SMALL DIAMETER END OF THE PISTON, TO MOVE THE PISTONTOWARD AND HOLD IT IN A NORMAL POSITION CLOSEST TO THE SMALL DIAMETEREND OF THE CYLINDER; (F) MEANS PROVIDING AN EXHAUST PASSAGE CONNECTINGWITH THE LARGE DIAMETER END OF THE CYLINDER AND THROUGH WHICH FLUIDTHEREIN MAY BE EXHAUSTED TO EFFECT ACTUATION OF THE PISTON TWARD THELARGE DIAMETER END OF THE CYLINDER IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE FORCE EXERTEDON THE PISTON BY FLUID UNDER PRESSURE IN THE SMALL DIAMETER END OF THECYLINDER; (G) AND VALVE MEANS TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF FLUID THROUGH SAIDEXHAUST PASSAGE.